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TAPI is a Microsoft for developing CTI (computer-telephony integration) applications. TAPI abstracts the hardware layer so that developers can create products that are network and device independent. TAPI applications be designed for intranet phone systems, PBXs, the public- switched telephone network, and IP networks. TAPI is based on the Microsoft Windows platform and is complemented by other Microsoft APIs, such as Win32, MAPI, SAPI (Speech API), and media control interfaces.

TAPI consists of two interfaces Vendors who develop CTI applications write to the API on the top side. The lower part of TAPI is called the SPI (service provider interface). It provides an interface for devices like PBXs, key telephones, ISDN, the analog phone system, cellular systems, Centrex, and other types of telephone devices.

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